OAKLAND, Calif. - Bobby Crosby's three-run double in the fifth inning led the Athletics to a 5-4 win over the Rangers and gave Kenny Rogers his first loss at the Network Associates Coliseum in more than 10 years.
Rogers was unbeaten in 35 appearances in Oakland since Aug. 7, 1994, going 18-0. But Crosby, a 14-year-old high school freshman when Rogers last lost at the Coliseum, provided a clutch hit that allowed the Athletics to salvage a split of the four-game series that started Monday, when Texas reliever Frank Francisco threw a chair into the stands, breaking a woman's nose.
There was no ruling from the commissioner's office Thursday on a suspension for Francisco. But a penalty is likely to be imposed today, possibly 10 games. Doug Brocail, the other Rangers reliever prominently involved in the fracas, got loud boos when he took the mound in the fifth.
Texas' Alfonso Soriano hurt his left leg in an awkward headfirst slide while stealing third base in the eighth inning. His left foot got caught under his right leg, and he left the game after consulting with trainers.
Rich Harden struck out seven and allowed six hits while pitching into the seventh. He improved to 7-1 since the All-Star break, and more importantly, he kept Oakland's two-game lead atop the West intact.
The A's had lost seven of 10 entering the finale of their 10-game homestand, and Texas built a 4-1 lead entering the fifth before Crosby cleared the bases with two outs on Rogers' 103rd pitch.
"It's incredible for a rookie to be in this type of situation," Crosby said. "I'm not even thinking about it. I'm just taking it like it's the middle of the season, a regular old (at-bat)."
ANGELS 6, MARINERS 1: Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-2 and was intentionally walked twice, and visiting Anaheim broke open a one-run game with four in the eighth.
Suzuki remained at 233 hits in his chase of George Sisler's single-season record of 257.
The Angels' big inning featured three Mariners errors, two by Gold Glove second baseman Bret Boone.
With runners on second and third, Boone's throw to the plate hit Darin Erstad's bat and bounced over catcher Dan Wilson's head, scoring two. Boone later let a grounder go through his legs for another unearned run.
TWINS 10, WHITE SOX 1: Kyle Lohse pitched seven sharp innings and Michael Cuddyer went 3-for-4 with a homer for host Minnesota. The streaking Twins are quickly closing in on their third consecutive Central title. They reduced their magic number to four.
Lohse, trying to overcome an inconsistent season with a strong finish that could put him in the postseason rotation, gave up one run, four hits and one walk. He is 3-1 in his past six starts, and he lasted seven innings for only the third time since the All-Star break.
The Twins have swept two straight series from second-place Chicago.
ORIOLES 9, BLUE JAYS 5: Rafael Palmeiro homered and Rodrigo Lopez won his third straight start for visiting Baltimore. Vernon Wells hit two home runs, including a two-run homer in the third that landed two rows into the fifth deck - the 13th time a ball has reached the uppermost tier.
Palmeiro hit his 547th homer in the ninth inning, leaving him one behind Mike Schmidt for 10th place on the career list.
TIGERS 6, INDIANS 4: Eric Munson and Omar Infante each hit two-run homers for visiting Detroit. Former Ray Esteban Yan worked the ninth for his fourth save.
